Memorial Day Experi en ce Pack Hello! I am so excited to share this special experience pack with you. Included in this pack you will find info about Memorial Day, Poppies, Service Agencies for Delaware County Veterans, & 5 experiences. This pack’s experiences include: Outside Experience: Shaving Cream Sensory Play Inside Experience: Send a Card to a Deployed Soldier Craft Experience: Make Your Own Poppy Food Experience: Red White & Blue Trail Mix Surprise Experience: Flag Hunt I’ve selected these activities based on the season, upcoming holidays, and the age of the registered participants for this month’s experience pack. Please share photos of your experiences with us by tagging us on Facebook & Instagram @cityofpowelloh & @powellparksandrec or using the handle #powellexperiencepack. Did you know the Recreation Department offers monthly Experience Packs? You can register for these either online at recreation.cityofpowell.us or in person at the Municipal Building — 47 Hall Street — Powell, OH 43065. If you have any questions or if I can be of assistance please reach out to me via e-mail. Hope you enjoy all of the experiences! ~Miss Gina Memorial Day? WH EN? Memorial Day is designated as the last Monday in May, this year that’s Monday, May 31st. In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act and established that Memorial Day was to be commemorated on the last Monday of May. Several southern states, however, officially com- memorate an additional, separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead, sometimes referred to as a Confederate Memorial Day: January 19 in Texas; third Monday in Jan. in Arkansas; fourth Monday in Apr. in Alabama and Mississippi; April 26 in Florida and Georgia; May 10 in North and South Carolina; last Monday in May in Virginia; and June 3 in Louisiana and Tennessee. Memorial Day is commemorated at Arlington National Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually. WHAT? Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers. During that first national commemoration, former Union Gen. and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there. Memorial Day? WHY? This event was inspired by local observances of the day that had taken place in several towns throughout America in the three years after the Civil War. In 1873, New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day as a legal holiday. By the late 1800s, many more cities and communities observed Memorial Day, and several states had declared it a legal holiday. After World War I, it became an occasion for honoring those who died in all of America’s wars and was then more widely established as a national holiday throughout the United States. Where? The Memorial Day Parade will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 31 in downtown Powell. A special ceremony will be held immediately following the parade at the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial, 47 Hall Street. The parade route will be lined with safe distancing markers and guests will be ex- pected to wear a mask. The parade and ceremony will be streamed live to the city’s Facebook page. Advanced registration for the parade and ceremony is encouraged here. Thanks to www.pbs.org for their research & the City of Powell for their celebration opportunities. Service Agen ci es for Delaware County Veterans American Legion Disabled American Vets Post #457 Chapter #79 Legion.org DAV.org P.O.Box 173 1675 Lawrence Rd Sunbury, OH 43074 Delaware, OH 43015 (740) 965-2112 (614) 619-6214 Meetings 4th Thursday @ 7:30pm Meeting 1st Tuesday @ 7:00pm Post #115 alohio115.org Mi litary Order of Purple H eart P.O.Box 432 PurpleHeart.org Delaware, OH 43015 1680 Hanover Rd. (740) 417-3586 Delaware, OH 43015 Meeting 2nd Wednesday @ 7:00pm (740) 369-0652 Meeting 2nd Tuesday @ 2:00pm Post #518 Legion.org Mari n e Corps League 8008 Ashley Rd. Det #1437 Ashley, OH 43003 Mclnational.org (740) 815-5176 118 Silverline Dr. Meeting 1st Monday @ 7:00pm Delaware, OH 43015 (740) 417-9112 American Veterans Meeting 3rd Tuesday @ 7:00pm AMVETS Post# 102 Post #102 Amvets.org Veterans of Foreign Wars 485 Park Ave. Post #3297 Delaware, OH 43015 VFW.org (740) 363-8316 481 S. Sandusky St. Meeting 2nd Tuesday @ 6:30pm Delaware, OH 43015 (740) 369-9984 Post #104 Meeting 1st Monday @ 7:00pm Amvets.org 419 London Rd. Post #8736 Delaware, OH 43015 VFW.org (740) 990-0429 P.O. Box 268 Meeting 3rd Sunday @ 9:00am Sunbury, OH 43074 (740) 965-2804 Delaware County Veterans Association Meeting 1st Thursday @ 7:00pm DCVA.vet P.O. Box 173 Vi etnam Veterans of America Sunbury, OH 43074 Chap. #1095 (740) 965-2111 www.vva.org Meeting Please call for dates and times P.O.Box 283 Delaware, OH 43015 (740) 815-0929 Meeting 3rd Thursday @7:00pm call location Why Poppi es? After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Scientists attributed the growth to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by the war. From the dirt and mud grew a beautiful red poppy. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD while serving on the front lines. On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion. Poppy Day is celebrated in countries around the world. The American Legion brought National Poppy Day ® to the United States by asking Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day, as National Poppy Day. On May 28, wear a red poppy to honor the fallen and support the living who have worn our nation’s uniform. Thanks to The American Legion for sharing The Poppy Story & In Flanders Fields. Make Your Own Poppy Supplies: Glass Jars—3 different sizes Red Tissue Paper Black Pipe Cleaner Black Coloring Utensil Cardstock Directions: Trace 3 different sized circles on to red tissue paper - for little hands it is easiest to use 3 different sized jars or glasses - and cut them out On a 3x5 card color a small black circle and cut it out. This will be the center of the flower and will help it keep its shape. Poke 2 holes through the black circle. Stack the 3 red circles with the largest on bottom and smallest on top & poke a hole through them with a pipe cleaner then thread on the black circle. Pull the pipe cleaner through about one inch then thread it back through the black circle and the red tissue paper and twist the end of the pipe cleaner around the stem. You can wear your poppy in a button hole, around your wrist, in your hair, or pin it to your lapel to show that you remember and honor the those who gave their lives. Thanks to How the Sun Rose for this activity. Sen d a Card to a Deployed Soldi er Supplies: Card Envelope Writing Utensil Postage Stamp Directions: 1. This is the way you can communicate your support and thanks to the troops. It is not possible to write directly to or be a direct pen pal with a deployed soldier. You send them to Support Our Troops and they send them forward. 2. It’s time to have fun! Here are some writing tips: Be positive. They are meant to uplift and encourage. Be thankful. Be sure to communicate your appreciation for the soldiers’ sacrifices and dedication to us and our country. Be respectful. These women and men have earned it more than most of us! Be kind. Remember most of us have never and probably never have to endure the difficul- ties that these soldiers have experienced. Be encouraging. DO NOT include your contact info (ex. e-mail or mailing address). DO NOT use your last name. Leave them unsealed for inspection or they won’t go. 3. Send them to: Support Our Troops 13791 N. Nebraska Avenue Tampa, FL 33613 4. Support Our Troops will send them to deployed Soldiers Sailors, Marines & Airmen. For more information visit supportourtroops.org. Shavi n g Cream Sensory Play Supplies: Shaving Cream (if worried about it being eaten can substitute whipped cream) Food Coloring—Red & Blue Shallow Container (ex. 13x9 pan or a tray) Something to stir with (ex. popsicle stick or plastic spoon) Toys (ex. Plastic soldiers, cars, etc.) I recommend staying away from using anything you use to cook or eat with when doing craft projects. Directions: 1. Gather supplies and head outside. 2. Fill your container with shaving cream in 3 lines. 3. Add a few drops of red & blue food coloring to different lines.